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AN OBSCURE NORTH DAKOTA GOVERNOR, unknown to most Americans, has emerged as the frontrunner in the Republican race to win the vice-presidential nomination at the party’s convention, which begins on July 15.
DOUG BURGUM’S candidacy would focus on energy policy and the price of gasoline, which will be key themes in Donald Trump’s campaign. Burgum is also worth at least $100 million, a major asset if the ticket runs low on cash in October.
TRUMP WILL AMP UP THE SUSPENSE, NOT ANNOUNCING A RUNNING MATE until the convention, but he has winnowed down his list to about a half dozen candidates. Nikki Haley is not on the list, despite her campaign skills, but Trump loves blockbusters, and Haley would elevate the ticket to clear front-runner status. But the two of them don’t get along and probably never will.
HERE’S OUR HANDICAPPING OF THE SHORT LIST:
1. Doug Burgum: Who? The North Dakota governor, an expert on energy policy, is the frontrunner. He’s very low-keyed, not a passionate Trump supporter, and is wealthy. Trump, whose energy policy can be summarized as “drill baby, drill,” reportedly is very high on Burgum.
J.D. Vance: On the short list for months, Vance has become a Trump sycophant after criticizing him harshly in the past decade. He’s great on TV and would lock up Ohio in the election. But Trump has a long memory and remembers when Vance regularly roasted him.
3. Marco Rubio: Checks most of the boxes — Hispanic, very knowledgeable on foreign policy, great fundraiser, articulate, etc. The Constitution forbids both the presidential and vice-presidential candidates from coming from the same state, so Rubio would have to declare residency in another state; Dick Cheney did it in 2000. Picking Rubio would make a lot of sense.
4. Tom Cotton: The Arkansas Senator has a fabulous resume (Harvard Law, combat veteran, etc.) and would give Trump gravitas on foreign policy. A low-keyed campaigner but solid on issues.
5. Elise Stefanik: The upstate New York congresswoman has become an outspoken Trump supporter and has not discouraged speculation about being on the ticket. Our upset special.
THERE ARE AT LEAST ANOTHER DOZEN potential candidates, ranging from Tim Scott to Greg Abbott. You can be sure that Trump wants someone who will be deferential and unlikely to show him up. Burgum fills the bill.
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